West Bengal clears land for BSF border fencing, addressing long-standing project delays.
The West Bengal Cabinet has approved the transfer of over 33 acres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for border fencing and related infrastructure at nine locations, along with additional land for three new Border Outposts. This decision addresses a significant bottleneck in the long-delayed India-Bangladesh border fencing project, which has faced issues like land acquisition disputes, difficult terrain, and legal complications. West Bengal shares the longest international border with Bangladesh, making its fencing crucial for national security. The move follows a Calcutta High Court order and aims to enhance border surveillance and curb cross-border crimes, while balancing security needs with local livelihoods.
Key Points
- West Bengal has approved the transfer of over 33 acres of land to the BSF for border fencing and infrastructure.
- This decision resolves a major bottleneck in the long-delayed India-Bangladesh border fencing project.
- West Bengal shares the longest border with Bangladesh, making its fencing critical for national security.
- The project aims to enhance border surveillance and curb cross-border crimes, requiring coordinated Union-State action and balancing local livelihoods.
Exam Facts
- West Bengal shares 2,216.7 km of the 4,096.70-km India-Bangladesh border (approx. 54%).
- As of August 2025, 1,647.696 km of the border in West Bengal had been fenced.
- The Calcutta High Court ordered the State government to hand over acquired land by March 31, 2026.
- The border is governed by the 1975 Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities, Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), 2011, and the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
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